A student with advanced cancer addresses his peers: ‘Be gallant, be great, be gracious, and be grateful’

“Be gallant, be great, be gracious, and be grateful.”

That was the message that Jake Bailey, a senior at Christchurch Boys’ High School in New Zealand, told his peers in a recent speech after he was diagnosed with advanced cancer. In fact, Bailey did not know until the last minute whether or not he’d be allowed out of the hospital to attend the ceremonial event in between intense chemotherapy sessions.

Now the student’s words are reaching hundreds of thousands of viewers around the world after his inspirational speech created a sensation online. Bailey spoke at an awards ceremony at Christchurch Boys’ High School, where he serves as “senior monitor,” or senior class leader.

Seated in a wheelchair, Bailey told his peers that he’d written a speech before learning he’d been diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma, a cancer that grows rapidly in the lymph system.

“They said you’ve got cancer,” Bailey said. “They said if you don’t get any treatment in the next three weeks you’re going to die. And then they told me I wouldn’t be here tonight to deliver that speech. But luckily that speech isn’t about what is to come. It’s about what an amazing year it’s been.”

Headmaster Nic Hill said that Bailey’s speech has motivated countless notes of appreciation and said that despite the grim diagnosis the student’s prognosis is good.

“Jake Bailey is an inspiration,” Hill wrote on the school’s Web site. “I couldn’t have more respect for Jake as a leader and someone who has inspired people throughout the world. Jake’s many attributes will help him through this battle and we’ll be with him every step of the way.”

Bailey told his classmates that he at first was intimidated by the prospect of serving as senior monitor, responsible for leading his peers. But he told them that he found “moral strength” in their friendship.

“Here’s the thing: none of us get out of life alive,” Bailey told them. “So be gallant, be great, be gracious and and be grateful for the opportunities that you have, the opportunity to learn from the men who have walked before you and those who walk beside you.”

After Bailey’s emotional speech, students in the audience spontaneously honored him with a traditional maori haka dance as a sign of respect for the ailing student. Bailey responded by whispering “Thank you.”

Source from :https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/education/wp/2015/11/10/a-student-with-advanced-cancer-addresses-his-peers-be-gallant-be-great-be-gracious-and-be-grateful/